character
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char·ac·ter (kar′ək tər, kar′ik-)
noun
- a distinctive mark
- any letter, figure, or symbol used in writing and printing
- the letters of an alphabet, collectively
- style of printing or handwriting
- a mystic symbol or magical emblem
- a code or cipher
- a distinctive trait, quality, or attribute; characteristic
- essential quality; nature; kind or sort
- the pattern of behavior or personality found in an individual or group; moral constitution
- moral strength; self-discipline, fortitude, etc.
- reputation
- good reputation left without a shred of character
- a statement about the behavior, qualities, etc. of a person, esp. as given by a former employer; reference
- status; position
- a personage great characters in history
- a person in a play, story, novel, etc.
- a role as portrayed by an actor or actress
- Informal an odd, eccentric, or noteworthy person
- Genetics any attribute, as color, shape, etc., caused in an individual by the action of one or more genes
Etymology: ME carecter < OFr caractère < L character, an engraving instrument < Gr charaktēr < charassein, to engrave < charax, pointed stake
transitive verb
- to write, print, or inscribe
- to characterize
- Archaic to represent; portray
in (or out of) character
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
character
n.
The dominant quality
temper, temperament, nature, sense, complex, mystique, mood, streak, attribute, trait, quality, singularity, badge, turn, tone, style, aspect, complexion, specialty, spirit, genius, humor, frame, grain, vein, atmosphere, ambience, climate, air, aura; see also attitude 2, characteristic, temperament.The sum of a person's characteristics
personality, disposition, nature, makeup, temperament, constitution, reputation, repute, individuality, estimation, record, caliber, standing, type, shape, quality, habit, appearance; see also kind 2.A symbol, especially in writing
*An odd or striking person
personality, figure, personage, original, eccentric, oddity, crank*, nut*, case*, odd duck*, queer duck*, oddball*, weirdo*, crackpot*, flake*, kook*, freak*. * Moral strength
integrity, honor, probity, backbone; see determination 2, honesty 1.A role
part, persona, member of the cast; see actor 1, cast 2, role.
in character
out of character
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Converse of object
- depict: All images and characters depicted are copyright their respective holders, and are used above for informational purposes only.
Adjective modifier
- fictional: If Fargo wasn't only a movie and she wasn't a fictional character.
Modifies a noun
- string: I used the Airport Base Station utility to change the WEP password to a 26 character hex string.
Noun used with modifier
- cartoon: BV: He's not like a cartoon character.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
You have been acquitted bya Limerick jury, and you may now leave the dock without any other stain upon your character.
As the character is, such is the speech.
She had a womanly instinct that clothes possess an influence more powerful over many than the worth of character or the magic of manners.
Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Cite this page:
MLA Style
"character." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/character>
APA Style
character. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/character
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